Do you worship any goats? Leviticus 16-18

Leviticus 17:7 (NASBStr)

They shall no longer sacrifice their sacrifices to the goat demons with which they play the harlot. This shall be a permanent statute to them throughout their generations.”’

In everyone's life we have things we worship and honor that are displeasing to God.  The nation of Israel had come to believe (by listening and observing the way the heathen nation's worshipped) that the spirit world should be worshiped and the symbol of their power was the goat.   Who really knows why they believed that.   But, then again, why do people worship their jobs, their family, their possessions, their prestige, their bodies, a feeling they get and want to return, their whatever?   It is so easy to put something in front of God.   To the Israelites it is the assumed power of a goat, to Wall Street is the allusion that there is power in money.    God established the system of worship that would remind the nation to honor Him and Him alone.   Today, the power of worship does the same thing for us.  If we, by faith, pursue a worship experience over that of our feelings, desires and fleshly power through the power of Jesus and the filling of the Spirit (Colossians 1:9-12).   If we do not, God sees this as we are playing the harlot.   When we say that we are betrothed to God and worship something else, we are committing adultery.   God has given us His Son and wants us to worship Him to keeps us from worshipping the goats of our lives.  

Do you know the formula for getting strong in the faith? Colossians 1-2

Colossians 1:9-12 (NASBStr)

For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.

In the book of Colossians, Paul is writing to a group of believers and is encouraging them to grow in their faith so as to avoid being swept away by the man false teachers who had landed among them.   In the opening chapter he is celebrating their new faith and then immediately, via the above verses, begins his mission of shoring up their faith for the purpose of strengthening them.  Notice the order of where their strength comes.  He doesn't start out and tell them to make a decision or be strong or to "act" in some way to safeguard against false teachers.  He begins by saying he is "asking" (praying to God) that they might first and foremost be "filled" with the knowledge about God's will, getting from God wisdom and understanding.   If we read on from there we see that they will need this wisdom and understanding (only obtained via faith through prayer) "so that" their walk is changed.   We don't change our walk without first deepening our faith.   Paul could have started out saying that in order to avoid being swept away by false teachers they should increase their Christian walk .... start to bear fruit.   Yet, he doesn't.   He does want their walk to be strengthened and he does tell them that more fruit is needed.  But, the equation is first and foremost that they be filled, by faith through prayer, with more wisdom and understanding of God's will.  They they will will have the walk, the fruit, the strength and the power to withstand false teachers.    Make no mistake, the power we need for a great walk in the Christian faith has to do with the faith we have, no the energy we have.    At the end of these verses Paul tells us that this will all result in steadfastness, patience, joy, thankfulness to the Father. who has qualified us for our inheritance.   The energy and effectiveness of our walk has to do with our continuing out Christianity in faith.  Not in works, but in faith.   

Do you know what it looks like when the gospel enters your heart? Luke 19-20

Luke 19:8-9 (NASBStr)

Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham.

The gospel is available to all and will be evident in all when applied to the life via faith.   The above story of the small tax-collector, Zaccheus, is an example of this truth.    Zaccheus had "heard" about Jesus and had scurried up a tree to see Jesus, because his natural stature had prevented him from seeing over the crowds.  It is no doubt that during his life he had often climbed onto something to see.   God had made him short but he had learned to compensate for that.   However, he was not able to compensate for his sin.  He was a sinner and everyone knew it.   In fact, because he was such a well known sinner, the religious leaders objected to Jesus going to his house.   Yet, Jesus came just for that reason ... to save sinners.    When Zaccheus recognizes the power of Jesus and his authority he immediately realizes his sin and demonstrates a change of heart.   The passage tells us that he was very wealthy and that he was a chief tax-collector.  That means, by what we know of that world, he was a very corrupt man.    Yet, when coming to Christ he tells Jesus he is ready and willing to give half of his wealth to the poor (a group a tax-collector would not have any familiar relationships with) and, IF he had defrauded anyone, he was willing to pay back four-times the amount.    Here is a man who has gotten the gospel.  This is what the gospel does and should do.  It should change the way we do business and the way we think about how we live our lives.    Zaccheus was not only willing to come to the aide of others, something he would never have done, he was willing to go back and make restitution where he should.    This is a change in thinking based upon a change of relationship.   That is the affect of the Gospel of Christ.   

Did you know God knows those who mock and mistreat His people and will act on that knowledge? Ezekiel 25-30

Ezekiel 25:6-7 (NASBStr)

For thus says the Lord God, “Because you have clapped your hands and stamped your feet and rejoiced with all the scorn of your soul against the land of Israel, therefore, behold, I have stretched out My hand against you and I will give you for spoil to the nations. And I will cut you off from the peoples and make you perish from the lands; I will destroy you. Thus you will know that I am the Lord.”

In Ezekiel 25-30 God is telling the prophet about the many nations He is going to judge.  He is going to judge them for the way they treated His people, Israel.   Since they took advantage of Israel, even when Israel was being punished by God,  It matters not the state of God's people, it is not up to the wicked of the world to take out their judgement and abuse on them.   God cherishes His people. He does discipline them and He does chastise them.   But, He also protects them and takes vengeance out on those who abuse them.   We are not to worry about the vengeance.   God will take care of that portion for us.  What we need to know from the above verse is that God has knowledge of how others treat His people and He will judge those who falsely judge His people.   For us that is a great resting truth.  Others may mock, scourge and/or persecute us.   But, God sees it all and will take vengeance out on them for it.   These passage should be a terror to those who would mock believers and ridicule them.   God will and does take notice.  For us, it is good.  For them, it is terror.  

Do you know what happens when you only talk and don't listen? Proverbs 10

Proverbs 10:8 (NASBStr)

The wise of heart will receive commands,

But a babbling fool will be ruined.

If you are so busy talking with your lips you might not realize the direction of your feet!! This seems to be the point of Solomon's words in the above proverb.   Those who are wise will take commands and even seek out instruction.  They stop to listen to others and are eager to learn ... prior to their walk in life.  Being willing to learn and to be instructed is a major sign of the one who has been made righteous by Christ.  In contrast the counterpart of the righteous, the wicked, is so busy talking and telling others what he thinks he knows, that he doesn't watch the path of his life.   The fool, who has rejected the knowledge of God, will babble (talk endlessly) and simply come into ruin.   His/her talking simply leads to more and more emptiness.    When you refuse to listen to the counsel of God you fill the air with noise.  That noise, however, will not prevent the wandering of your feet ... wandering that will eventually fall into ruin.   Talk is cheap ... that phrase was utter by Solomon via this proverb centuries before it was heard in our society.  The truth still holds true today.  Stop and listen to the wisdom of others and allow that to correct your walk.   If not, you only have ruin in your path.  

Did you know God holds courts for leaders? Psalm 81-83

Psalms 82:1-2 (NASBStr)

 God takes His stand in His own congregation;

He judges in the midst of the rulers.

 How long will you judge unjustly

And show partiality to the wicked?

Selah.

In Psalm 82 we have a Psalm of Asaph that seems to be written in regard to God holding a meeting with rulers.   We don't know if these are physical leaders, spiritual leaders, angelic leaders, or political leaders.  We don't know if this is metaphorical as though He were holding a meeting in picture form of all leaders, or if this is similar to the time when God held a meeting with the angelic host and Satan came before God to present himself and challenge God about Job.    What we do know from the above text is that God is standing.  In most of God's Word we read that God is sitting on His throne.  In this passage He is standing over the other rulers.   God is the supreme ruler of the universe and all others submit to Him, no matter their categorical description.   Another obvious aspect of this passage is that God knows the rulers and can call their attention and demand their response at any time He chooses.   Although some of the rulers of this world may not submit to that thought, it is never-the-less still true.   A third area of inference in the above passage is that some leaders are unjust, which is the main theme of the chapter.   These leaders, whoever they are, are not following just practices.  That would lead us to believe they are earthly leaders.  They are showing partiality to the wicked.  They are not judging in righteousness.   The sole responsibility of leaders is to uphold righteousness.   God is observant of leaders and when they refuse to honor righteousness they are brought before God to be reminded of their responsibility and judgement if they don't carry out God's character in their leadership.   God holds all responsible, but especially those in ruling authority.  Whether they recognize it or not.  

Did you know how quick God can turn things around? 1 Kings 6-10

2 Kings 7:1-2 (NASBStr)

 Then Elisha said, “Listen to the word of the Lord; thus says the Lord, ‘ Tomorrow about this time a measure of fine flour will be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria. ’” The royal officer on whose hand the king was leaning answered the man of God and said, “Behold, if the Lord should make windows in heaven, could this thing be?” Then he said, “Behold, you will see it with your own eyes, but you will not eat of it.”

How quickly things can turn when you trust in an awesome and mighty God.  In the above story the King of Amram had besieged Samaria and the city was fully shut-up.   There was so little food and water that the people began to do unheard of things.  In the previous chapter we are told two women agreed to boil and eat their children to fill their bellies.   When the King of Samaria sends a messenger to Elisha the above message is what he hears.   If you read the rest of the chapter you will see that this is exactly what happened.   The King of Samaria was not known for his Godliness.   Or, for his faith at all.   He had passed this trait onto those who worked for him, i.e. this messenger.   The messenger did not believe Elisha that things could turn from so bad to so good in less than 24-hours.    Yet, with God that is exactly what can and does happened.  God is able to turn things around in an instant.   When the nation of Israel complained that they wanted "meat' in the desert, God flew some quail in from the sea.   When Abraham was about to offer Isaac on the alter God instantly provided a lamb, apparently just caught in thicket.   When Daniel was tossed into the lions den, suddenly the lions didn't feel hungry.   Just when his enemies thought they have disposed of Daniel and were now at the top of wise-man-chart, the lions suddenly became hungry and ate them.   In less than 24-hours Daniel went from the lion's den to the king's den, all as a part of God's grace.   In our above story the messenger from the King of Samaria would see that Elisha was right but would die before he enjoyed the celebration as the siege was lifted.  How often do we give up just as God is providing relief?  How often do we fail to realize that God can turn the fortunes of man around quickly and clearly?   When God is in control it is not a matter of IF God will change mis-fortune.   It is only a matter of WHEN.